"OC Episode #2"

[starshadow]

The panther bot raised an optic ridge as Sonar was thrown to Terrorsaur
"Beast mode!" Starshadow commanded and returned into her feline form and ran straight to where the fliers were crash landing. As soon she reached to them, the red bot was already unconcious.
Starshadow shook her head and pushed Sonar away and lifted a paw underneath Terrorsaur, placing her shoulders under his back and carried him on her back. Then, she turned to Sonar, placing one of his wing in her mouth and dragged him to a safety.

[NaitoKage]

(Megatron posts will have to wait since I haven't gotten any response back by Dann who showed interest in jumping into the OC episode as Tarantulus. I private messaged him, but not sure if he's lurking or not.)

The Squid worked diligently, carefully splitting smaller crystals around the base of a large crystal, collecting them with his limbs as he worked. He then finally freed the large crystal lifting it above his mantle, floating into the air out of the trench and into the mining cart. He carefully placed the crystals down one by one with his tentacles, then floating out of the cart again and starting the process once again. While Glowstick was not the fastest, the smartest, or the strongest, he had a major skill that out beat them all, his multitasking. Each limb could skillfully interact without him even really thinking about the complex process. It allowed him to perform labor like tasks of building, mining,computer work, and repairs that would take five cybertronians to do the same efficiency.

However, he still felt at risk outside of the ocean. If he was in the water, a invisible creature would of been less a problem for him as most fish and aquatic lifeforms use a lateral line system to help them with orientation in a variety of situations from schooling,collision detection, to predator and prey detection. This system was far less effective in the air for him though did allow him to get used to operating in his beast mode out of water.

Meanwhile remotely on the bridge of the Leviathan, the small Cybersquid Drone floated towards the console Frilla was originally operating, the end of one of it's tentacles opening to extend a connector and interface with the computer. It appeared to broadcast and receive a encrypted wireless signal similar to the one Scorponok used with his Cyberbee, but it's capabilities were far more limited compared to either Tarantulus or Scorponok's drones. After interfacing, it started to view the sonar data and radar data from the Leviathan.

Inside the cockpit of the Leviathan, the green sonar based view started to display colored markers, the speakers in the cockpit then having Glowstick's voice heard. Don't worry Frilla, I'm sure you'll do fine. You wont be alone, though I'm not sure how well I can help remotely through the maintenance terminal. Minor adjustments and field readouts at best. If you two take her home in one piece I'll be sure to start some sort of aircraft training. Anyway. The purple colors are highlighted as Predacons from Radar and sonar signature. The red markers are all known Maximals. However.. I'm getting two inconsistency. One is.. either a Leopard or Panther.. I can't tell. It has a Sonar signature, but the radar signature seems off. Could just be a local life form, but even birds and bees can be detected by radar.. it's just programmed to have them not displayed. Second seems to be an issue of more.. unusual circumstances.

The display then suddenly showed two zoomed in slightly fuzzy images of Optimus Primal in beast mode, One appearing to be running through an energon field, while another was digging by Icebreaker and Orcariner. The Optimus Primal by Cheetor has no radar signature, but the one by Orcariner and Icebreaker is a confirm as Optimus Primal. I'm not sure what these results tell me. Either our Radar is messed up and a local Gorilla and large cat are near by, or we have two stealth units in the area?

(This is due to Venatrix being around, it's not in her profile but she seems to claim to be stealthy. So I'm guessing her beast mode uses some form of Radar absorbing material integrated with the fur. I don't really have a problem with this as Tigatron had a similar stealth mode that made him walk more silently and cats are known for being stealthy anyway..specially Panthers/Leopards[same animal, different colors.Leopard being assumed as Jaguars and Cougars come from different areas and are not anywhere near as stealthy as Leopards.])

____________________________________
Rhinox lifted his hand from her shoulder looking down at her rubbing his chin with his hand pondering. Hmm.. You're case is rather unique among our kind, and I'm not sure we even had datatracks on a creature with five faces..it might just be a inconsistency due to your memory fragmentation? Or perhaps a dream.. We could investigate the data tracks on any alien life known to cybertronians that might be on the Axalon's computers if you like? he then stated lowering his hand to his side.

(Heh, hate to point it out Vena but the Beastwars writers explicitly have stated they follow the transformers Comic universe. Thus why Primus is said so much through the series. Quintessians were an idea for the Vok, but are more likely to be the Swarm evolved to a higher level. The reason they followed the comics instead of cartoon I'd assume is because they didn't have access to the tv show, so they went to the old comic books as a canon source instead. Probably having Simon furman writing the last episodes didn't help either..You can keep following that route, but it wont fit this universe that easily. )

____________________
Icebreaker nodded to Orcariner, then set the little disk down, starting to dig out a few crystals carefully with his flippers. The situation made him feel nervous, while he was a bit klutzy he didn't have trouble doing field work, but he didn't usually have to worry about his patients exploding on him. His natural nature for bad luck seemed to add to the tension as he carefully lifted the crystals up, then placed the crystal carefully in the device provided by Orcariner, sliding the formed cube near the soon to be pile. He wiped his forehead with his flipper, then waddled towards the next set of crystals.

[Alak]

((OOC: Tigatron had stealth capabilities? I don't really recall this being addressed in the show. I always assumed that Season 1 characters had beast modes that had the same function as their respective animals. Of course, being robots and all, I'm sure they are faster and stronger but I don't remember any special abilities. If we are including such feats, would our characters and the canons be able to act like those in the Robot Masters line? Megatron using his mouth as a fusion cannon and Optimus being able to use his wrist guns in beast mode.))

[NaitoKage]

(Eh, I don't think it'd go to that extent.. Essentially in the show Tigatron just told his computer "Stealth mode" and started sneaking behind the Predacons without being noticed. It was in the episode Rattrap ended up going against Sentinel and BlackArachnia and the cons were digging under the Maximal base. I think it'd be simpler things that are hidden, like telescopic vision and cyber venom injections and I guess some of the weird web effects Tarantulus did would be considered that since it's possible for a spider to project a entire web like a net from their spinnerets.)

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

"Hey, guys," "Why don't I go ahead and leave these discs for you two. That way you both can continue filling them up, and I'll just push the finished ones back to the Nomad in beast mode. I'd figure it'll be better for me to be working continuously without having to sit out every couple of cycles."

"All right," Optimus agreed, picking up some of the discs Orcariner left with him and Icebreaker. He continued filling them as quickly and carefully as possible.

"Well besides the fact of the bat and Terrorsaur being knocked out so quickly and having no clue where the invisible slagger is the Preds haven't made any motion to attack as. At least three others came out but besides that nothing else is going on Primal." "As far as I can tell they are preparing to mine and possibly see what this enemy is."

"Thank you, Wintersong," the Maximal leader acknowledged her report while he worked. He was glad the Predacons were keeping to themselves... for the time being. Opening a communication link to Feralnight, Wintersong, Cheetor and Tigatron, Primal said, "Be advised, Maximals. According to Orcariner's scanners, the cloaked being out here is an exact replica of myself. We can only assume this is the work of the aliens that stored me in their probe and extracted my data as well as my knowledge. If you're approached by me, or what appears to be me, do not immediately assume that it is me." It was a bit awkward saying that. It might make his comrades more paranoid about the situation but they had to be made aware of it. Fortunately, their internal scanners should be able to provide them his Maximal energy signature, which was the one thing the Vok clone seemed to lack. "Should you encounter 'me,' report your sitatuation immediately and call for back up." The gorilla got up and handed some cubes to Orcariner.

"How are you doing over there, Icebreaker?" Optimus called to him.

-----

The Vok slowed down as he neared Cheetor's location around the hills with sparse raw energon crystals, remaining out of the cheetah's line of sight. He was not aware of Primal's recent broadcast, so he decloaked, still in his gorilla beast mode, and approached the young cat. "Cheetor!" the clone called his name and hurried toward him, stopping a few feet away from the feline. His voice and his appearance were exactly like the leader that Cheetor thought so highly of. He glanced at Feralnight in the sky before looking back at the spotted cat.

[Alak]

((OOC: Oh, so the stealth capability was in robot mode. I thought you said he had a stealth mode in his tiger form lol... not that Tigers aren't stealthy enough in the first place.))

Orcariner used his tail to group together the finished cubes that Optimus Primal and Icebreaker had amassed. Using the utmost care, he pushed them forward back towards the cargo bay. There were several of them so it would be highly inefficient to try and load them all in his beast mode.

"Maximize," he said.

Transforming, Orcariner stepped into the bay where the powerful dampers protected him from the radiation surges. He extended his long arms and proceeded shuffled the cubes into the vacant area around him. It should not be too long before they reach their maximum capacity. As soon as he finished his job, Orcariner walked towards the ladder that led to the bridge.

"Hey, Wintersong," he called out, "You bored up there? Just let us know if you want to switch mining duties with Rattrap."

[Wintersong]

"No problem Primal." Wintersong said before sitting back ears flat against her head. She was still worried for the others and for a moment became distracted with her thoughts, even forgetting to watch the monitor for the moment. Jumping a bit at Orcarnier's call she stood and came to the ladder to look down at the Orca transformer, "If he doesn't mind taking a break. Right now need something to do other then sitting around." She explained and looked back at Tigatron, "Long as you don't mind the rat's company that is." She added to the other white tiger.

[Blazemane]

((OOC: The Quintessons existed in the comic universe. Why are they a problem?))

The Optimus Primal by Cheetor has no radar signature, but the one by Orcariner and Icebreaker is a confirm as Optimus Primal. I'm not sure what these results tell me. Either our Radar is messed up and a local Gorilla and large cat are near by, or we have two stealth units in the area?

Steelclaw very nearly slapped his own forehead, but he restrained himself. After realizing that they were up against an invisible foe, he had already connected the irregularity of seeing Optimus take a shot at Starshadow, and then especially the irregularity of Optimus disappearing to conclude that the Ghost was a Primal look-alike. It'd somehow slipped his processor to share this deduction with any one else.

Glowstick probably could (or already did) piece it together, but...

"That's our Ghost. The Gorilla I mean- not the cat. I'd seen Optimus show up on the field and then just vanish into thin air, so I think it's a logical conclusion."

For a moment he did scratch the back of his head sheepishly.

"So how's the mining?" he asked in jest. "As for the leopard or panther... uh, is there a way for you to test what Predacon com-links in the area are available to contact? I can see Starshadow, and the only other panther I know is Venatrix. Maybe she showed up?"

* * *

We can only assume this is the work of the aliens that stored me in their probe and extracted my data as well as my knowledge. If you're approached by me, or what appears to be me, do not immediately assume that it is me.

Woh.

Should you encounter 'me,' report your sitatuation immediately and call for back up.

Oh, right. Cheetor was relieved there was a way to double check things. He was about to start traveling again, when Optimus Primal walked up to him.

"Cheetor!"

That seemed fast. Well, sure Big Bot could have been making his way over to Cheetor while he was broadcasting the warning to everyone, but that wasn't a proven fact

And all of a sudden, the idea of calling back for help seemed bad. If this was the alien, it would spring into action as soon as he got on his com-link. What could he-

A scan! Cheetor silently had his computer to do a signature scan and a few nano-clicks later it told him it couldn't recognize any signature on the robot.

It told him it couldn't recognize any signature on the robot... out loud. Cheetor made a grimace that was part fear, but mostly frustration before turning tail and running for nearest bit of land that would get him out of the Ghost's visual path.

"''Bots!" he shouted on his com-link,"The alien just showed up and he's right behind me!"

He soon understood that the alien's flight would make it so there were no places Cheetor could hide, and he thought of transforming and drawing his cannon. But there were crystals to his left and right, behind him and in front of him, and the risk of starting a firefight suddenly became too much for even him to dare. So he kept running as fast as he could.

[New Moon]

Frilla listened and was surprised, "Well guess we'll be watching for..." Her voice cut off as she looked at the signals and narrowed her eyes. One of the signals didn't show Maximal or Predacon signatures of any kind which now had her wondering if it was the copycat. "Uh Glowstick in speaking of our ghost friend it seems he is going for the Maximals now." She informed and looked at Steelclaw.

--------------------------------

Feralnight got the transmission and no sooner had it gone out did Cheetor call for back up below. Gazing down she caught a glimpse of what looked like Primal and he was still mining! "Hold on Cheetor I got your back." She said over the com-link and dove down towards their direction, "Maximize!" With a howl she transformed to robot form still diving down. This bot seemed determined to try and mess with their heads but the question was why.

But then the fuzor thought of something, wondering it it was likely to work in talking to this alien creation. Slowing her descent Feralnight flared her wings and landed carefully far enough from the evil Primal yet close enough to talk. He really was a good copy of the original and it was hard to believe this one was so cold and heartless. "Erm greetings whoever you are." She said a bit awkwardly, not sure how to address a greeting to this life form. "I mean no harm to you...at the moment at least, but to merely talk. My name is Feralnight and we are curious to why you are here." She explained trying to see if this being was truly as evil as it appeared.

Though it was likely not the best idea she had.

((Yea not the best tactic I know but this seemed like an interesting thing to try talking to Vok Primal.))

[NaitoKage]

(In the comics it was the UK comics which the Quintessons are different. Unless you mean the transformers the movie stuff.. in which case they'd be based off the first movie script having them as the worshipers of Unicron.)

Icebreaker looked towards Optimus, then responded Nothing's blown up yet, so I think I'm doing it right sir. Don't think I'll be cut out to be a great miner in the future though. he then chuckled with a smirk, returning to his work with the crystals, then heard Optimus's speech on the radio, moments later followed by Cheetor's call. The Penguin turned his head looking at Optimus. Do you need backup?

______________

Glowstick listened to the two as he worked. His tentacles still working busily as he extracts crystals Let me put it this way, it's boring. So that's our Ghost huh? Hmm.. Yeah, I could try calling her.. but that also gives me another idea. Hm? Yeah.. I see it Frilla, he's with Cheetor. That kid is going to get the spots scared right off him. Hm.. if that is a exact clone of Optimus Primal from that point in time, then I already know his radio isn't up to date like the real one is now, I can use that for a variety of things..Feedback loops, possibly even transmit a virus to his system which I'm sure our little data expert may carry around to weaken his systems or glitch one of his abilities.. Or perhaps.. we could even attempt to talk to it. Feel free to think it over. I'll see if Venatrix is still alive and kicking and coordinate the groups.

Glowstick then opened up a second radio channel, sending a message to StarShadow I see you're still kicking. Waspinator and Snowtrix are heading your way, but another ally may be closer. You'll see her soon if she is. Primal clone or Ghost as we're calling it has moved away from your range and seems to be bugging the maximals from what our sensors can now tell. I'll see what we can do about those two with you.

Glowstick then transmitted to Venatrix's channel. Hey sneakycat.. still alive? Head 30 meters South east of your position, StarShadow requires help carrying Sonar and Terrorsaur. Waspinator and Snowtrix are moving in to help with the recovery. I'll give you the full Sitrep if you're interested..

Finally, he attempted to broadcast to Blackarachnia who was still a long ways away Hey legs, quick question for you. Are you any good as a nurse? I have some men down and need a spare medic.

[starshadow]

I see you're still kicking. Waspinator and Snowtrix are heading your way, but another ally may be closer. You'll see her soon if she is. Primal clone or Ghost as we're calling it has moved away from your range and seems to be bugging the maximals from what our sensors can now tell. I'll see what we can do about those two with you.

"Understood." Starshadow stopped dragging Sonar and slowly set Terrorsaur off her back.

"Terrorize." she transformed into her robot mode and sat beside the two bots. Hmph...so much for baby sitting these mechs... her ears went back.

[Night-Hunter]

"Should have thought of that before taking a nap in the arms closet sherlock."

Waspintor tilted his head but didn't reply, but he knew that the Fox-bot was right, maybe next time he wouldn't fall asleep in Squidbots ship. He could probably find a place that was quiet on the Darksyde.

Maybe Wazzzpintor could use that empty room on the Darksyde to sleep. He thought, unable to surpress a giggle.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

(( OOC: Blazemane, what is up with this quote you made from quoting something out of my post?

What about his horrible green head!?! wrote:
"Cheetor!"

"What about his horrible green head!?!" Where did that come from?! I can't stop laughing at it because it's so random.

....Wow. I just had a "startling revelation!" What would the Preds do if the Vok Primal discarded the real Primal at their doorstep instead of the Maximals? And by "discarded" I mean heavily damaged and unconscious. Not sure yet if I want to go this route since the alien still needs to be stopped, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there. ))

"Hey, Wintersong," "You bored up there? Just let us know if you want to switch mining duties with Rattrap."

"If he doesn't mind taking a break. Right now need something to do other then sitting around." She explained and looked back at Tigatron, "Long as you don't mind the rat's company that is." She added to the other white tiger.

Tigatron gave a light chuckle, and said to Wintersong, "Not at all."

-----

Nothing's blown up yet, so I think I'm doing it right sir. Don't think I'll be cut out to be a great miner in the future though.

The gorilla smirked lightly with the penguin as he went back to work.

"''Bots!" he shouted on his com-link,"The alien just showed up and he's right behind me!"

Slag! "Hold on, Cheetor!" Optimus responded. "I'm on my way!" He stopped in the middle of his dig and stood up, spotting Cheetor's and Feralnight's general direction.

Do you need backup?

Of course Primal wanted the backup but it was a tough decision. There were still plenty of Predacons across the field. "No, stay here, Icebreaker. We need as much energon as we can get, so I need as many hands over here as possible. If the Predacons attack us and the Nomad, we'll need someone to defend it and our energon. And Orcariner won't last long in battle out here," even though he was the largest and a great contender to be dealt with. Tigatron was still wounded, but he could man the weapons system on the Nomad. That left just three Maximals who could mine and defend themselves from the Predacons. "Continue mining what you can and I'll call for backup when..." he paused for a moment, rethinking his choice of words which weren't exactly as optimistic as they usually were, "...if it comes to that." Let's face it, the alien hadn't said a single word to anyone that Optimus knew of. It obviously wasn't there to chit chat. Chances were, it was going to do what ever it possibly could to ruin everyone's day.

"Rattrap, remain out here to continue assisting with the mining. Wintersong, your position in the bridge will be replaced by Tigatron. I want you out here with Icebreaker and Rattrap. And, Tigatron, just keep an eye on the radar," Primal ordered over his comm. link to whom it concerned. And if Icebreaker chose to disagree and disobey his orders, who knows, his actions may help defeat the alien, or he might be doing the Predacons a favor. Because who knew if the Preds were going to attack at this point anyway?

With that all said and done, the Maximal leader ran off on his knuckles as quickly as he could. Transforming to robot mode and flying to them would use too much power of his energon field dampers that he may very well need in order to battle the alien.

(( OOC: NK, I honestly didn't know what was the "right choice" with this one (too tired to think much, LoL), so if you really want Icebreaker to help, feel free to have him follow OP. I'm just indecisive because of the last chat they both had, and I don't know why I care so much what is right when it's just a game. And I don't know what the Preds are planning to do about the Maximals who are "stealing" "their" energon. ))

-----

"''Bots!" he shouted on his com-link,"The alien just showed up and he's right behind me!"

The clone narrowed his eyes, pondering how the cheetah knew he wasn't the real Primal. No matter. The spotted, naive Maximal wasn't going to stand a chance against him anyway. Watching Cheetor run off, he made no motion to follow him. Instead, he simply watched Feralnight swoop down and join the Vok on her own.

"Erm greetings whoever you are." "I mean no harm to you...at the moment at least, but to merely talk. My name is Feralnight and we are curious to why you are here."

"We know who you are," the Vok spoke in Primal's voice. "And we do not wish to speak with you." Just like that, in a flash, he cloaked himself again, vanishing from Feralnight's sight. In case she was going to shoot the last place she saw him, he moved off to the side to her right and transformed to his robot mode. Many of the wounds Sonar gave him were fairly well healed now, thanks to his regeneration, or internal repairs, in beast mode that was a little quicker than the others had. While invisible, he lifted his right arm, engaged his wrist cannons and fired two shots aimed at Feralnight's chest. Since he hadn't moved closer to her, she may have had time to dodge them.

[New Moon]

"Wait I just..." Feralnight stepped forward when the clone activated it's cloaking ability and she sighed wondering now what it meant by we. Was it from these alien beings after all? If so why were they doing this? As the fuzor tried to find the clone, hoping by some chance it would show itself she was unable to stop the attack that came her way. The first shot left a dent making her grab at the spot before being sent off her feet by the shot yelping in pain. Unfortunately the energon radiation hit her circuits the next moment only causing more problems, "b-beast mode." Feralnight said through gritted teeth and transformed.

-----------------------------

"Think one already was trying to talk Glowstick and she's down for the count now." Frilla replied having looked to the radar and watched the Maximals as they seemed to now be going on the defensive. So the 'ghost' Primal was after both factions and it seemed linked to the aliens. Yet why were they here was what they needed to find out.

[Blazemane]

(( OOC:

In the comics it was the UK comics which the Quintessons are different. Unless you mean the transformers the movie stuff.. in which case they'd be based off the first movie script having them as the worshipers of Unicron.

They also feature in the post-Beast Wars comic Universe: Featuring the Wreckers. The comic doesn't fit perfectly into the cartoon continuity, but does seem to suggest, to me, the plausibility of the Quintessons' existence in the Beast Wars universe.

That all having been said, even if they were never mentioned in any acceptable way in the comics' continuity, that would only mean they were never mentioned, not that they couldn't at all live in the universe. They could be an undiscovered species and that would provide no contradiction to the show's continuity. I think.

Blazemane, what is up with this quote you made from quoting something out of my post?

Well, you see, there's something about the Ghost...

He's an Alien!

What would the Preds do if the Vok Primal discarded the real Primal at their doorstep instead of the Maximals? And by "discarded" I mean heavily damaged and unconscious. Not sure yet if I want to go this route since the alien still needs to be stopped, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there.

Depends on the Predacon. Some would be naturally happy to have Optimus defeated, others might jump at the opportunity to attack the alien, and maybe one or two would be frightened by the fact that the Ghost had now come to them and he was once again their problem (if he stays around them).

Depending on how the game progresses, it might also be that some characters (*whistles innocently*) would start to feel doomed because they were relying on all Maximals and Predacons available to defeat the threat, and especially with Optimus taken out of commission, the chances of that would be decreasing.

Either way, I think it'd be cool if it took something more than weapons' fire to take the Ghost down. Such as a massive energon explosion. I've come up with a couple scenarios for the Ghost's death, but I don't want to just say them out loud because I want the game to progress as unpredictably as it already has been.

And I don't know what the Preds are planning to do about the Maximals who are "stealing" "their" energon.

They're just waiting for the right moment...))

Uh Glowstick in speaking of our ghost friend it seems he is going for the Maximals now.

Which was good to hear. The Predacons had been dropping like flies taking the Ghost on. Hopefully they'd have some time to work in safety now, getting energon and rescuing their fallen comrades.

I can use that for a variety of things..Feedback loops, possibly even transmit a virus to his system which I'm sure our little data expert may carry around to weaken his systems or glitch one of his abilities.. Or perhaps.. we could even attempt to talk to it. Feel free to think it over.

They could talk to it? That did sound appealing.

Think one already was trying to talk Glowstick and she's down for the count now.

Steelclaw was not as deterred as he, perhaps, should have been. Obviously the Ghost wasn't in a talkative mood, but the way he shut down the conversation quickly was intriguing. What did Feralnight say to him, how did he reply, and what might he have responded better to?

* * *

"Wait!" Cheetor shouted as he saw Feralnight descend to the place he'd come from. What was she planning to do? "You can't take him by yourself!" But he spoke too late and she kept going.

"Cheetor, maximize!" he shouted before transforming into robot mode and running right back with his cannon at the ready. But before he got where he was going, he heard two shots and the sound of Feralnight yelping.

He thought about stopping and waiting for alien to move away so he could help Feralnight. But he didn't know if the Ghost would leave. He didn't know if it would even let her live. So he charged forward with greater speed until he finally saw her on the ground.

He stared for a moment before turning to the thin air around him.

"What," he scoffed angrily, "are you going to take me out too? Show me how easy it is to blast someone who can't see you?"